Bill > S04791

This bill, named "Destini Smothers' law", establishes comprehensive guidelines for law enforcement agencies to improve missing persons investigations and support for victims' families. The legislation requires the development of a uniform collaboration plan between police agencies, which will be implemented by January 1, 2027. Key provisions include mandatory prompt dispatch of missing persons' information across local and state communication systems, eliminating assumptions that adults aged 19-64 are not missing, and requiring police agencies to investigate potential connections to domestic violence or family offenses. The bill mandates routine notifications to relatives of missing persons within seven days of disappearance and weekly thereafter, ensuring families receive updates while protecting the investigation's integrity. Additionally, the law expands victim assistance training for law enforcement to include specific considerations for relatives of missing persons and adds new support services like trauma-informed intervention, emotional support, and mental health care services. The bill aims to create a more proactive, coordinated response to missing persons cases and provide enhanced support for affected families.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4791